The earth shifts and quakes.

I lose my balance once more.

Shifting, bucking up and down,

the chasm grows once more,

pebbles and rock scatter down.

The bridge sways and tightens

ropes straining under the pressure.

I hear the creaking in the ropes

as the peak on the far side rises,

trying to move out of reach again.

I stumble back and fall on my ass,

tears welling up in my eyes.

Do I chance out across that bridge,

slowly breaking until it is but a tight rope,

or hold back in this place of safety,

wondering if there will be a chance

in some future time, some future place?

Perhaps in a different lifetime the goal awaits.